Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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While the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is responsible for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations, I am very much aware of the importance for students, parents and education stakeholders of ensuring that the results for Leaving Certificate 2024 are delivered in as timely a manner as possible. The SEC continues to work closely with my Department, along with other stakeholders, to ensure that this is the case.

2022 was the first time since 2019 that written State examinations were undertaken by all students. The date for issue of results in that year, which was 2 September, was influenced by a number of factors. These included a challenge in recruiting sufficient examiners, the provision of a set of deferred examinations at Leaving Certificate for candidates who experienced illness or bereavement, and the implementation of a post-marking adjustment to give effect to the commitment that results in 2022 would be no lower in the aggregate than in the previous year. By its nature such an adjustment can only be made once the full marking process has been completed.

All of these factors were considered in the planning for the 2023 examinations. It was very welcome that the date for the issue of the results in 2023 was 25 August, a full week earlier than the 2022 results date. This was a significant and very welcome step towards pre-pandemic norms in relation to the timing for issue of results. The SEC advises that candidates' results are transferred to the Central Applications Office (CAO) at the earliest opportunity to facilitate progress to higher education. In 2023 CAO first round offers issued on 30 August.

Every effort will be made to ensure that the results of the 2024 examinations are available in time to meet the needs of candidates and end users, notwithstanding the challenges such as examiner recruitment, deferred examinations and student-centred requirements that must be managed. Critical to the SEC’s planning is the absolute need to allow sufficient time for the full range of checks and quality assurance procedures which are inherent to the resulting process. It is of vital importance for students, and indeed for other stakeholders, that the procedures are given sufficient time to execute to the highest standards

The State Examinations Commission has not yet confirmed a date for issue of the 2024 Leaving Certificate results. Students, their families, school authorities and other stakeholders will be notified of this date at the earliest opportunity when all relevant factors have been considered.